As the weather cools down it’s time to crank up the heat! October 22 sees the beginning of our nation’s ode to the curry. Where will you decide to eat? Here’s a few suggestions to get you started…

Butter chicken is one of the most luxurious curries you can try Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto

As the weather cools down it’s time to crank up the heat! October 22 sees the beginning of our nation’s ode to the curry. Where will you decide to eat? Here’s a few suggestions to get you started…

Zaika, Ipswich

A super-friendly family-run restaurant that attracts diners from far and wide thanks to the owners’ insistence on putting home-style dishes on the menu amongst the perennial favourites such as korma and dhansak. Triumphs include the starter of aloo tikee (mildly spiced potato cakes with fresh herbs) and the Zaika Special, enhanced with the fragrant citrusy notes of satkura pickle.

Namaste, Norwich

If you’ve ever thought about going veggie, maybe give one of Namaste’s eateries a try. They prove just how innovative and downright tasty food made without meat can be. Mix it up with the Special Chat – an explosion in your mouth of crunchy puri, chickpeas, Bombay mix, onion, chutney, tamarind sauce and spices. And don’t miss their fabulous vegetable korma made with a creamy, roasted cashew sauce….oh or the pav buns filled with mashed, spiced Indian vegetables – a popular snack served all over Mumbai.

Spice Lounge, Mildenhall

Nominated regionally in the English Curry Awards, there’s no stopping these guys, who already have several awards and commendations under their belts. Set across two floors in a listed building the restaurant menu offers specials such as juicy black tiger prawns with green chilli and garlic, and a spicy dish of salmon Moricha, roasted in the tandoor with spinach, Indian cheese and potatoes.

Downham Tandoori, Downham Market

One reviewer says this place (which has been serving the local community for over 20 years) served up the best curry he’s ever had. High praise indeed. There’s nothing outrageously different about the offering. It’s Indian classics, cooked well. Try the house speciality of tikka masala, cooked with cream, almonds, coconut and butter.

Montaz, Newmarket

If you’re looking for a ‘date night’ restaurant, this could be it. The sophisticated and award-winning eatery has fine Indian dining down to an art. Every plate looks spectacular. We recommend the tender lamb gallouti kebabs, finished with fragrant garam masala, and the venison marinated in fresh herbs and spices with asparagus. Lamb cooked with butternut squash is another winner- a nod to a traditional curry of Calcutta.

Tamarind, Blofield

Guyash Miah of Tamarind was recently named general manager of the year in the English Curry Awards- so you know the service is going to be good here. The interior is comfortable, elegant and tasteful (no paisley carpets) and everything is cooked fresh to order, from the rang puri haash (duck cooked with crushed whole spices and served with an onion sauce), to the lucknow ka gosht (lamb in a medium sauce with apricots and crispy potato sticks).

Royal Bengal, Woodbridge

One of the oldest and best-loved Indian restaurants in Suffolk. There’s a leaning towards Bangladeshi and Goan cuisine in particular so you’ll always find something unusual to whet your appetite. We recommend the kalimurch dishes, made with roasted and crushed peppercorns, and xacutti – heady with coconut, fenugreek and spices in a thick tomato sauce.

The Bank, Sheringham

Set, yes you’ve got it, in a former Bank, if you’ve never tried Nepalese or Himalayan food before you should certainly book a table at this consistently good restaurant. Try Kathmandu chicken, spiced, cooked over coals and served with fresh mint chutney. Or the speciality chicken, stuffed with coconut, cashews and chicken keema in a golden sauce. Delicious.

Maharani, Ipswich

An award-winning favourite in Ipswich. One of the oldies but one of the goodies too. Expect a hearty warm welcome, and traditional décor here. It’s also home to one of the tastiest naan breads in Suffolk. There’s a whole raft of dishes voted for by customers. How about the bata chop – made of spicy minced potato and lamb? Or the salmon shurisha – cooked with mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, lemon, coriander and curry leaf?

Dhaba at 15, Norwich

It only opened a month ago but already this place is making an impression on the dining scene in the city. It’s all about vibrant, spectacular combinations redolent of the street food scene on the Asian continent. We’re talking crispy niblets filled with spiced vegetables and drizzled with tamarind water, squid fried in rice tempura with charred pepper, tomato and lemon salsa, and proper biryanis, sealed with a dough lid, unleashing their aromas as you break into them.

Sea Spice, Aldeburgh

It’s not all fish and chips and ice creams at this popular seaside destination on the Suffolk coast. Sea Spice, found at the White Lion Hotel, has brought a touch of the exotic to the coast. Alongside cocktails and craft beers, you’ll find dishes made with seafood landed right off the shore nearby, and crafted using local meats and vegetables. A signature must-try is the Suffolk muntjac vindaloo. And save space for the warm Indian carrot pudding. It’s yummy.

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